Question

Sort the following in the correct order of the propagation of sound in a human ear.

• A. Ear drum
• B. Ear canal
• C. Pinna
• D. Three tiny bones
• E. Cochlea

Answer 1

Upon reaching the external part of the ear called pinna, sound enters the ear canal and hits the ear drum.
The vibrations of the drum are propagated to the oval window via three tiny bones: Malleus (hammer), Incus (anvil) and Stapes (stirrup).
The oval window is attached to a snail shell-like bony structure called cochlea, which converts the vibrations into electrical impulses, and transmits them to the brain via the auditory nerve.